vintage watches restoration / repair

vintage watches restoration / repair

Author
Discussion

vandereydt

Original Poster:

149 posts

256 months

Monday 15th December 2014
quotequote all
Good evening
Am interested in vintage watches such as a Vacheron & Constatin , a Patek-Philippe a Rolex ...

Do these companies have restoration or service centers ? Or where would one take such a watch for evaluation, service, repair

Thanks
Ronny

yeti

10,523 posts

274 months

Tuesday 16th December 2014
quotequote all
vandereydt said:
Good evening
Am interested in vintage watches such as a Vacheron & Constatin , a Patek-Philippe a Rolex ...

Do these companies have restoration or service centers ? Or where would one take such a watch for evaluation, service, repair

Thanks
Ronny
Yes they do and you pay through the nose for them, but the work will be peerless. A vintage Patek might run you well over a hundred grand so it's worth it but if you want 2 grand Ellipse tidied up, I'd send it to an independent. Depends what work is needed, service, restoration or repair.

I'm afraid your question is so vague it's unanswerable.

vandereydt

Original Poster:

149 posts

256 months

Thursday 18th December 2014
quotequote all
the thing is, am looking at buying a vintage vacheron & constatin,
the watch has no papers
I would send the watch in for an evaluation and a service and if possible for a new set of papers

Thanks
Ronny

Spice_Weasel

2,286 posts

252 months

Friday 19th December 2014
quotequote all
No papers/box is not necessarily a problem for old or vintage watches as either they weren't kept by the orginal owner or they've been lost over the years. Buying from a reputable dealer and/or ensuring provenance are key factors though.

As far as restoration/repair goes, you really need to go into this with your eyes open. Know before you buy what exactly requires doing to the watch and what it's likely to cost to repair (or agree work as part of your purchase). In some cases it may not be worth going ahead if you're going to spend more than the purchase price on refurbishment.

An alternative is to find a good independent watchmaker who can service/refurb it, assuming they can obtain the parts which may be difficult to source or obsolete. If it's simply a movement service or cosmetic dial/case/hand refurbishment, there are plenty of specialists that can do this though I'd pick one carefully based on their experience with V&C or whichever brand you buy.

sad61t

1,100 posts

209 months

Friday 19th December 2014
quotequote all
If you go ahead, it may be better to send the watch directly to the VC service centre, or even visit yourself. I've read a few threads where an owner has gone through their authorised dealer who inflated the price by their commission rate.

There's information on VC's website on finding your nearest service centre, and also on obtaining documents to go with your watch:

http://www.vacheron-constantin.com/en/services/ser...

Hope you find what you're seeking, happy hunting.

vandereydt

Original Poster:

149 posts

256 months

Friday 19th December 2014
quotequote all
Hi all

a rainy cold day today, but for real a perfect, superb day

I bought two vintage vacheron & constantin watches
a 1950's oversized mechanical 453
and a +/- 1910 pocket watch

Both look very clean an are in working conditions
The wristwatch needs a new strap

Is there an official service center in Switzerland where I could go?

A happy camper today

Regards
Ronny

vandereydt

Original Poster:

149 posts

256 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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Could not help it
ALso bougth a vintage Rolex 1949 Oyster Vinceroy

Need boxes for my new watches

Ronny

fwaggie

1,644 posts

199 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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Sounds like you've had fun finding and buying them!

Using that link to VCs website it says the nearest customer service center to you is in Italy, here

Authorized retailers
Vacheron Constantin Customer Service Center
Authorized retailer
Service center
Richemont Italia SPA
Via B. Crespi 26,
20159Milan
Italy

Tel: +39 02 30 261
Fax: +39 02 30 261


Give them a ring and organise shipment to them for evaluation and quotation for the work.

mikeveal

4,559 posts

249 months

Tuesday 23rd December 2014
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Pictures, need pictures...
How about some befores and afters please OP?